(of a species, characteristic, etc) liable to deviate from the established type
5.
(of a wind) varying its direction and intensity
6.
(of an electrical component or device) designed so that a characteristic property, such as resistance, can be varied
variable capacitor
noun
7.
something that is subject to variation
8. mathematics
a.
an expression that can be assigned any of a set of values
b.
a symbol, esp x, y, or z, representing an unspecified member of a class of objects, numbers, etc
See also dependent variable, independent variable
9. logic
a symbol, esp x, y, or z, representing any member of a class of entities
10. computing
a named unit of storage that can be changed to any of a set of specified values during execution of a program
11. astronomy variable star
12.
a variable wind
13. (plural)
a region where variable winds occur
Derived forms
variability (ˌvariaˈbility) or variableness (ˈvariableness)
noun
variably (ˈvariably)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin variābilis changeable, from variāre to diversify
variable in American English
(ˈvɛriəbəl; ˈværiəbəl)
adjective
1.
apt or likely to change or vary; changeable, inconstant, fickle, fluctuating, etc.
2.
that can be changed or varied
3. Biology
tending to deviate in some way from the type; aberrant
4. Ancient Mathematics
having no fixed value
noun
5.
anything changeable; esp., a quality or quantity that varies or may vary
6.
a shifting wind
7. Astronomy
variable star
8. Ancient Mathematics and Physics
a.
a part of a mathematical expression that may assume any value in a specific, related set of values
b.
a symbol for such a part
see also constant
Derived forms
variability (ˌvariaˈbility)
noun or ˈvariableness
variably (ˈvariably)
adverb
Word origin
ME < MFr < L variabilis
variable in Electrical Engineering
(vɛəriəbəl)
adjective
(Electrical engineering: General)
A variable electrical component or device is designed so that a particular property, such asresistance, can be varied.
Variable belt drives require precise alignment and careful setup to work efficiently.
A variable resistor is a resistor whose values can be changed or varied over a range.
A variable electrical component or device is designed so that a particular property, such asresistance, can be varied.
Examples of 'variable' in a sentence
variable
The quality of his information is very variable and in many cases impossible to verify.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
In reality, there are many more variables.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Today will be another cold one, with high pressure over the south bringing variable amounts of cloud and sunshine.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Variable speed' limits are imposed to cut congestion at peak times and red crosses close lanes when there is an accident ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It says that enforcing variable speed limits on major roads is relatively cheap'because only a limited number of speed cameras would be needed'.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For example, firms can take into account variables such as the cost and time requirements of in-house software packaging versus using external service providers.
Computing (2010)
It was also claimed that the rise reflected an increase in the number of digital cameras used to monitor variable speed limits on stretches of'smart' motorways.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no control group or variable.
Christianity Today (2000)
The main variable cost that suppliers have is the cost of labour.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
Those on the lowest variable deals are still better off staying put for now.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There were always going to be things that went wrong with this many variables.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Too many of the major economic variables are not under control.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
Weather is hugely variable but the underlying global trend is clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Make the limit variable depending on conditions or traffic?
The Sun (2011)
This model can be made more interesting by introducing variables which depend on time.
Ogden, Philip E & White, Paul E (eds.) Migrants in Modern France: Population Mobility in the Later Nineteenth and TwentiethCenturies (1989)
This meant the only variable was skin quality.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But these are variables that can change.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The central feature of experimental studies is the control of variables surrounding the experimental subjects.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
Your new job may have triggered it with irregular sleep or eating patterns and the variable humidity on aeroplanes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Regulators want variable pay to account for a smaller proportion of total reward in the hope that this will discourage reckless behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In this instance, income is the independent variable.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Her teacher tests how much she can remember: what are independent and dependent variables?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The marginal physical product changes because additional units of the variable factor input do not add equally readily to units of the fixed factor input.
Pass, Christopher, Lowes, Bryan Collins Dictionary of Economics (1993)
People have asked me why I do not include other important variables such as the budget deficit.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Average Product Total output divided by the number of units of the variable input used.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Apart from these variable symptoms the major complaints are: General exhaustion.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
In other languages
variable
British English: variable /ˈvɛərɪəbl/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is variable is likely to change at any time.
The weather is extremely variable at the moment.
American English: variable
Arabic: مُتَغَيِّر
Brazilian Portuguese: variável
Chinese: 变化的
Croatian: promjenjiv
Czech: proměnlivý
Danish: variabel
Dutch: variabel
European Spanish: variable
Finnish: vaihteleva
French: variable
German: veränderlich
Greek: ευμετάβλητος
Italian: variabile
Japanese: 変わりやすい
Korean: 변하기 쉬운
Norwegian: variabel
Polish: zmienny
European Portuguese: variável
Romanian: variabil
Russian: переменный
Latin American Spanish: variable
Swedish: varierande
Thai: เปลี่ยนแปลงได้ตลอดเวลา
Turkish: değişken
Ukrainian: мінливий
Vietnamese: có thể thay đổi
British English: variable NOUN
A variable is a factor that can change in quality, quantity, or size, which you have to take into account in a situation.
Decisions could be made on the basis of price, delivery dates, or any other variable.
American English: variable
Brazilian Portuguese: variável
Chinese: 可变因素
European Spanish: variable
French: variable
German: Variable
Italian: variabile
Japanese: 要因
Korean: 변수
European Portuguese: variável
Latin American Spanish: variable
All related terms of 'variable'
variable cost
a cost that varies directly with output
variable star
any star that varies considerably in brightness , either irregularly or in regular periods. Intrinsic variables , in which the variation is a result of internal changes, include novae , supernovae , and pulsating stars
variable type
type that can be varied to fit a page , screen , etc
dummy variable
a variable appearing in a mathematical expression that can be replaced by any arbitrary variable, not occurring in the expression, without affecting the value of the whole
random variable
a quantity that may take any of a range of values, either continuous or discrete , which cannot be predicted with certainty but only described probabilistically
string variable
data on which arithmetical operations will not be performed
variable costs
Variable costs are costs that vary depending on how much of a product is made.
variable tariff
A tariff is the rate at which you are charged for public services such as gas and electricity , or for accommodation and services in a hotel .
Cepheid variable
any of a class of variable stars with regular cycles of variations in luminosity (most ranging from three to fifty days). There is a relationship between the periods of variation and the absolute magnitudes , which is used for measuring the distance of such stars
Cepheid (variable)
any of a class of pulsating , yellow, supergiant stars whose brightness varies in regular periods: from the period-luminosity relation , the distance of such a star can be determined
dependent variable
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value depends on that taken on by the independent variable
response variable
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value depends on that taken on by the independent variable
variable annuity
an annuity in which the premiums are invested chiefly in common stocks or other securities , the annuitant receiving payments based on the yield of the investments instead of in fixed amounts
variable-geometry
denoting an aircraft in which the wings are hinged to give the variable aspect ratio colloquially known as a swing-wing
independent variable
a variable in a mathematical equation or statement whose value determines that of the dependent variable: in y = f ( x ), x is the independent variable
intervening variable
a hypothetical variable postulated to account for the way in which a set of independent variables control a set of dependent variables
variable (interest) rate
an interest rate that varies in relation to fluctuations in the market rates of interest, as over the time period of a loan or mortgage
variable pitch propeller
a propeller in which the angle of the blades with regard to air flow can be adjusted while it is in operation
variable rate mortgage
a mortgage involving a loan with a variable interest rate over the period of the loan
RR Lyrae star
one of a group of pulsating variable stars found in the halo of the Milky Way, with periods between 1.2 and 30 hours ; all have approximately the same luminosity and are therefore used for measuring distances
continuously variable transmission
a transmission , typically using rubber belts and pulleys , in which the ratio of the rotational speeds of two shafts , as the drive shaft and driven shaft of a vehicle, can be varied continuously within a given range , providing an infinite number of possible ratios
variable-density wind tunnel
a closed-circuit wind tunnel entirely contained in a casing in which the pressure and therefore the density of the working fluid can be maintained at a preselected value
eclipsing binary
a binary star whose orbital plane lies in or near the line of sight so that one component is regularly eclipsed by its companion
variable universal life insurance
Variable universal life insurance is a type of life insurance that allows you to invest the cash value in a wide variety of separate accounts .
proximity fuze
an electronic fuze that detonates a bomb , missile , etc. when its sensor detects the target
prime cost
the portion of the cost of a commodity that varies directly with the amount of it produced, principally comprising materials and labour
Chinese translation of 'variable'
variable
(ˈvɛərɪəbl)
adj
(= likely to change)[mood, quality, climate]易变(變)的 (yì biàn de)
(= able to be changed)[temperature, height, speed]可变(變)的 (kěbiàn de)
n(c)
(Math) 变(變)量 (biànliàng)
(= factor) 可变(變)因素 (kěbiàn yīnsù)
(adjective)
Definition
likely to change at any time
Weather conditions are variable and change from day to day.
Synonyms
changeable
He was a man of changeable moods.
The forecast is for changeable weather.
unstable
The situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.
fluctuating
shifting
flexible
wavering
uneven
He could hear that her breathing was uneven.
fickle
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
temperamental
My computer at work can be temperamental.
mercurial
his mercurial temperament
capricious
capricious mood swings
unsteady
His unsteady relationship with his flatmates incited him to move out.
protean
the protean and complex nature of his work
vacillating
fitful
He drifted off into a fitful sleep.
mutable
Time, space and matter are mutable realities.
inconstant
chameleonic
Opposites
stable
,
constant
,
unchanging
,
firm
,
settled
,
fixed
,
steady
,
unalterable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of capricious
Definition
having a tendency to sudden unpredictable changes of attitude or behaviour
capricious mood swings
Synonyms
unpredictable,
variable,
unstable,
inconsistent,
erratic,
quirky,
fickle,
impulsive,
mercurial,
freakish,
fitful,
inconstant,
changeful
in the sense of fickle
Definition
changeable in purpose, affections, etc.
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
Synonyms
capricious,
variable,
volatile,
unpredictable,
unstable,
unfaithful,
temperamental,
mercurial,
unsteady,
faithless,
changeable,
quicksilver,
vacillating,
fitful,
flighty,
blowing hot and cold,
mutable,
irresolute,
inconstant
in the sense of fitful
Definition
occurring in irregular spells
He drifted off into a fitful sleep.
Synonyms
irregular,
broken,
disturbed,
erratic,
variable,
flickering,
unstable,
uneven,
fluctuating,
sporadic,
intermittent,
impulsive,
haphazard,
desultory,
spasmodic,
inconstant
Synonyms of 'variable'
variable
Explore 'variable' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inconstant
Definition
variable
Synonyms
unreliable,
variable,
uncertain,
volatile,
unsettled,
unstable,
inconsistent,
erratic,
wavering,
uneven,
fluctuating,
wayward,
fickle,
temperamental,
mercurial,
capricious,
unsteady,
changeable,
vacillating,
blowing hot and cold (informal),
mutable,
irresolute,
undependable,
changeful,
vagarious (rare)
in the sense of mercurial
Definition
lively and unpredictable
his mercurial temperament
Synonyms
capricious,
volatile,
unpredictable,
erratic,
variable,
unstable,
fickle,
temperamental,
impulsive,
irrepressible,
changeable,
quicksilver,
flighty,
inconstant
in the sense of mutable
Definition
able to or tending to change
Time, space and matter are mutable realities.
Synonyms
changeable,
changing,
variable,
flexible,
uncertain,
volatile,
unsettled,
unstable,
inconsistent,
wavering,
unreliable,
fickle,
adaptable,
unsteady,
vacillating,
irresolute,
undependable,
inconstant,
alterable
in the sense of protean
Definition
capable of constantly changing shape or form
the protean and complex nature of his work
Synonyms
changeable,
variable,
volatile,
versatile,
temperamental,
ever-changing,
mercurial,
many-sided,
mutable,
polymorphous,
multiform
in the sense of temperamental
Definition
working erratically and inconsistently
My computer at work can be temperamental.
Synonyms
unreliable,
unpredictable,
undependable,
inconsistent,
erratic,
inconstant,
unstable
in the sense of uneven
Definition
not consistent in quality
He could hear that her breathing was uneven.
Synonyms
irregular,
unsteady,
fitful,
variable,
broken,
fluctuating,
patchy,
intermittent,
jerky,
changeable,
spasmodic,
inconsistent
in the sense of unstable
Definition
likely to change suddenly and create difficulties or danger
The situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.
Synonyms
changeable,
volatile,
unpredictable,
variable,
fluctuating,
unsteady,
fitful,
inconstant
in the sense of unsteady
His unsteady relationship with his flatmates incited him to move out.